Why Employer Branding ROI Matters Now
Hiring and keeping good people is tough these days. You’re up against big companies with deep pockets, remote jobs offering total freedom, and gig apps with quick payouts. A strong employer brand makes your company stand out, pulling in great workers and keeping them happy. But how do you know it’s worth the time and money? Measuring return on investment (ROI) shows exactly how your brand saves cash and builds a better team.
Brandemix can help make this clear with simple data. Instead of guessing, you’ll see real results—like cheaper hires or employees who stick around. This guide gives you easy ways to measure ROI and prove your employer brand is a smart investment.
What a Strong Employer Brand Does for You
A good employer brand isn’t just about filling jobs. It helps your business in big ways:
- Better hires. A clear brand attracts people who fit your company’s goals and vibe.
- Less turnover. When your brand shows what you’re about, workers stay longer, saving you money. (Replacing someone can cost 30-50% of their yearly salary.)
- Lower hiring costs. A strong brand means candidates come to you, cutting job ad expenses.
- Happier teams. Employees who love your brand work harder and share their excitement, like posting about a fun team event on LinkedIn.
- Business growth. Engaged workers help you hit goals, like launching a new product faster.
For example, a small retail business might get more applications after sharing a video of their team’s community project, saving thousands on recruiters. That’s real value.
Also read: Employer Branding for Non-Profit Recruitment
The Challenge: Why ROI Is Hard to Measure (and How to Start)
Measuring employer branding ROI can feel tricky. Social media likes or job page views are easy to count, but they don’t show the whole story. The real impact is in better hires, longer retention, and cost savings. Small businesses often lack big HR teams or fancy tools, making it harder to track these.
That’s where a partner like Brandemix helps. We use simple data—like how fast you hire or how many candidates accept offers—to show what’s working. You don’t need complex systems, just clear numbers that tie to your business goals, like spending less or keeping your team strong.
Key Metrics to Track Your Employer Brand’s ROI
To prove your employer brand’s value, focus on these five metrics:
- Time-to-hire: How long does it take to fill a job? A strong brand speeds this up. Check how many days a role stays open before and after branding efforts.
- Cost-per-hire: Are you spending less on hiring? Track money spent on job ads or recruiters. A good brand can cut costs by up to 50% as candidates apply directly.
- Retention rate: Are workers staying longer? Count how many new hires stay past a year. Less turnover saves big on replacement costs.
- Offer acceptance rate: Are candidates saying “yes” to your offers? Track how many accept versus decline. A strong brand boosts this number.
- Employee referrals: Are your team recommending friends? Count hires from referrals. Happy workers refer more, speeding up hiring.
Brandemix can help track these with tools like surveys or hiring data. For example, we might check if a new job page gets more applications or if employees feel prouder to work for you after a branding push.
Real-World Example
JW Marriott, a top hospitality brand, faced a big challenge: they needed to hire over 500 employees for their reimagined Miami hotel reopening. With tough competition and just 45 days, it seemed nearly impossible. Brandemix stepped in with a smart plan. We built a branded event microsite with job details and registration, ran targeted ads on social media, sent text reminders, and added an employee referral push. We also sent emails highlighting event perks, like on-the-spot offers.
The results? They hired 500+ people in under 45 days and added over 5,000 names to their talent pipeline. Plus, they saw a 30% higher quality of hire, bringing in better-fit staff. Check out the full story on our website to see how this worked!
Read the JW Marriott Case Study
Also read: Best Employee Communications Tools
How to Measure ROI with Brandemix’s Help
You don’t need a big budget to measure ROI. Start by checking your current brand—ask employees what they love about working for you. Set simple metrics, like tracking job applications or retention rates. Create content, like a job page or social posts, to show your company’s heart. Then, look at data to see what’s working.
Brandemix makes this easy with tools like surveys or social media tracking. For example, we might count how many candidates apply after a LinkedIn post or check if new hires stay longer after better onboarding. Our approach fits small businesses, so you get clear results without the hassle.
See how our clients achieved full ROI with powerful employer branding. Explore success stories that delivered measurable results. Brandemix Projects
Easy Tips to Start Measuring ROI Today
Want to see your employer brand’s value now? Try these steps:
- Check hiring costs. Compare what you spend on ads or recruiters before and after branding. A drop shows your brand’s working.
- Ask your team. Use a quick survey: “Would you recommend working here?” More “yes” answers mean a stronger brand.
- Track social media. Count likes or comments on posts about your team. More engagement shows candidates are noticing you.
- Look at job offers. Track how many candidates accept your offers. A higher rate means your brand’s pulling people in.
Brandemix can guide you with simple data tracking, so you see results fast.
What’s Next for Employer Branding ROI
Employer branding is changing fast. Here’s what’s coming:
- Custom job ads. AI tools will tweak ads to match what candidates want, like flexible hours.
- Short videos. TikTok or Instagram clips of your team’s vibe will grab younger workers.
- Virtual tours. Let candidates “visit” your workplace online to feel your culture.
- Diversity focus. Show real inclusivity to attract workers who value fairness.
Brandemix helps you use these trends to boost ROI and stay ahead.
Prove Your Employer Brand’s Value
A great employer brand does more than make you look good. It cuts costs, brings in top talent, and keeps your workers excited to show up. Tracking things like faster hires or longer stays proves it’s worth the effort. Solid numbers show your leaders or investors why your brand matters to the business.
Brandemix makes measuring ROI simple with practical steps and easy tools. Ready to see your employer brand’s value?
Get In Touch
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jody Ordioni is the author of “The Talent Brand.” In her role as Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Brandemix, she leads the firm in creating brand-aligned talent communications that connect employees to cultures, companies, and business goals. She engages with HR professionals and corporate teams on how to build and promote talent brands, and implement best-practice talent acquisition and engagement strategies across all media and platforms. She has been named a "recruitment thought leader to follow" and her mission is to integrate marketing, human resources, internal communications, and social media to foster a seamless brand experience through the employee lifecycle.
